David Mamet turned into a very interesting (if not always good) film artist, but his Heist has one of the worst plots of any movie in 2001. Amoral and almost a potboiler, it revolves around the machinations of thieves acted by Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Delroy Lindo. It boasts some excellent dialogue, however: “She could talk herself out of a sunburn.” The first words out of Hackman’s mouth when he and Rebecca Pidgeon are ready to pull a job are “Nobody lives forever.” “Frank Sinatra gave it a shot,” replies Pidgeon coolly. Peculiar language for a caper movie–which is good. Perhaps the film should be seen just for its dialogue.

Alas, it has flaws besides plot problems, though, such as a clumsily directed sequence in which Lindo gets tough with a couple of cheatin’ fellow robbers.

Stick with Mamet’s The Winslow Boy and even State and Main. You’ll do better.